Monday, November 28, 2016

Council votes to fund $75,800 wastewater plant study


At a special council meeting Monday night, Columbia Borough Council voted 6-0 to contract with AIM Advisors and project partner Rettew Associates to undertake a study to determine the feasibility of converting the borough's wastewater treatment plant into a natural gas production facility. The study will cost $75,800 and could be completed by March 1 of next year.

David Nikoloff, principal at AIM, told council that the enterprise could be a "public-private partnership" and would entail restaurants and other businesses providing food waste as raw material (known as "feedstock") for conversion to gas. He said the study would determine if there is enough feedstock available in the area and whether there is enough of a market to purchase the gas. Nikoloff added that such a facility could be up and running in about two and a half years.

The issue was previously visited during a presentation at November's regular council meeting, when a motion was made to move forward with the study.  No vote was taken due to lack of a second. After the 2015 LASA agreement, options for reuse of the wastewater plant have been discussed by council.

Two residents raised questions and voiced concerns at Monday's meeting about the feasibility of such an operation, citing safety and financial concerns.

Absent from the meeting were Mayor Leo Lutz, Borough Manager Greg Sahd, and Councillor Stephanie Weisser.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Lighted garlands to brighten Locust Street

A worker hung lighted garlands on Locust Street light posts this afternoon. Christmas is less than a month away.

CHS students bring a message of holiday cheer

A group of Columbia High and Middle School students used their artistic talents to brighten a window at Stover's News Agency this morning in observance of the holiday season.  



The finished product

Meetings for the week of November 28, 2016


Special Borough Council Meeting

Legal Notice – Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of Columbia Borough Council will be held in conjunction with the monthly Finance Committee Meeting on Monday, November 28, at 6:00 pm in the Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA to discuss re-purposing of the Waste Water Treatment Plant into a Bio-CNG Facility and any other necessary Borough Business. If you are a person with a disability wishing to attend and require an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Borough Office at 684-2467.


Zoning Hearing Board Meeting

LEGAL NOTICE – The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Columbia will meet on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, at 7:00 P.M., in the Municipal Building at 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA, to consider the following application(s) and/or appeal(s):

Steven & Beverly Funk is requesting special exception(s) and/or variance(s) to convert a dwelling into a life skills house at 443 Union Street in a High Density Residential (HDR) zoned district.

Associates Properties PA, LP is requesting a modification of conditions from zoning decision #12-051 to obtain a building permit for self-storage unit development at 243 S Front, 319 S Front and 109 Perry Streets in a Riverfront Commercial (RC) zoned district.

Radiovision Cristiana Management is requesting a modification of conditions from zoning decision #14-289 to improve property by construction of a higher communications tower, fence, and accessory storage/maintenance structure(s) at 173 Deascenti Drive in a Light Industrial (LI) zoned district.

If you are a person with a disability wishing to attend this meeting and require an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Columbia Borough Office at 684-2467 to discuss how the Borough may accommodate your needs.


Saturday, November 26, 2016

MetroPCS cellphone store coming to Columbia


A MetroPCS cellphone store will be coming to Columbia in the near future. A 2,100-square-foot office building that will house the business has been under construction recently at 846 Lancaster Avenue, next to Little Caesars Pizza. MetroPCS is leasing the building through Bennett Williams Commercial. The store is expected to open by the end of the year.


Police: Columbia man “charged” at officers, knocking officer off a porch

                    Joseph William Rineer

Walnut Street man said he wanted to go out with a bang.
MORE:

Small Business Weekend at Market Sat. and Sun.